How much of your working life do you believe has been hijacked by any of the above scenarios? A few hours, days, months? What if you could get away from all that? What if you could reclaim the hours you spend commuting backwards and forwards to the office each day and use this time to actually get things done?

Welcome to the cloud

Conventional business works on the basic premise of an office, one or more servers (for email, files and ERP software), a network infrastructure (to connect to the server) and client machines (PCs or laptops), and, of course, a phone system. ‘The Cloud’ can deliver all of the above, but as a service, not unlike everyday utilities, such as power and water.

Why should a startup business get excited by cloud?

Many successful businesses start like acorns: small and growing slowly, they do not have access to vast sums of money to invest in the infrastructure necessary to manage their business. Whatever cash is available is generally used to produce product for sale.

The cloud affords any business the ability to be up and running in hours with email, and an ERP solution (to manage stock, finance, invoices, document management and more), all for one, low cost, monthly rental fee. Simply subscribe to the services you require. A minimum subscription period applies (normally one year) but after this time, you can simply cancel any service you no longer require.

Now you can avoid huge upfront outlays in hardware and software costs. Invest in producing your competitive product and not in managing it. Welcome to financial freedom by the power of the cloud. But that’s not all. If you’re a startup business and don’t have the money for premises, the cloud enables you and your colleagues to work from the comfort of your home or any location of your choice, even the beach, providing there’s an internet connection!

Why should established businesses get excited by the cloud?

Because, like any organisation, you have overheads: buildings, cost of sales, rates, utilities and, of course, staff costs. In difficult times like these, every little saving truly does help. Even for a small business, thousands are spent just on servers. Add to this the cost of configuring, upgrading and maintaining these as well as the overall network infrastructure, and IT soon features on the profit and loss report as a major cost centre.

With the cloud, there’s no need to outlay thousands on new servers, network infrastructure or expensive software titles. These are all available as SaaS (Software as a Service), including leading ERP solutions such as SAP Business One: an integrated business software solution. SAP Business One normally costs thousands of pounds per user, but it is now available, like most cloud solutions, for one, low cost, monthly rental fee, which by the way includes maintenance. This means that upgrades and maintenance services are all taken care of, so you can focus on what really matters: running your business.

What do you need?

Any everyday device of your choice (e.g. PC, laptop, tablet or even a mobile phone), an internet connection, and a subscription to the desired service.

Why are we so passionate about the cloud?

Because we know how effective the cloud can be at enabling new businesses and streamlining costs for established businesses. How do we know? Because we’re a cloud enabled company and we have helped both new and established businesses to reap the benefits of moving to the cloud.

We’ll gladly share our experience with you and offer free advice about how your business can cut its IT overheads giving you that all important competitive edge. Call us on 01223 789 560 or click the link below to submit your enquiry online.